Quantum geometry in many-body systems with precursors of criticality

Abstract: We analyze the geometry of the ground-state manifold in parameter-dependent many-body systems with quantum phase transitions (QPTs) and describe finite-size precursors of the singular geometry emerging at the QPT boundary in the infinite-size limit. In particular, we elucidate the role of diabolic points in the formation of first-order QPTs, showing that these isolated geometric singularities represent seeds generating irregular behavior of geodesics in finite systems. We also demonstrate that established approximations, namely the mean field approximation in many-body systems composed of mutually interacting bosons and the two-level approximation near a diabolic point, are insufficient to provide a reliable description of geometry. The outcomes of the general analysis are tested and illustrated by a specific bosonic model from the Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick family.